The proclamation was read by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md. Hanipah at Istana Anak Bukit in keeping with a decision of the Royal Council of Ascension.

Article Nine of the Kedah Constitution provides for the Royal Council of Ascension to determine the successor of the Kedah throne on the demise of the reigning sultan. The MB is the president of the council.

Following the proclamation, the Comptroller of the Royal Household/Principal Private Secretary of the Sultan of Kedah, Datuk Syed Unan Mashri Syed Abdullah, invited Tunku Sallehuddin to take his seat on the throne.

Syed Unan then hailed daulat tuanku thrice, with the audience emulating him, which was followed by the strains of the nobat royal orchestra.

Tunku Sallehuddin then touched the dais where the casket bearing the remains of Tunku Abdul Halim had been placed, signalling the start of the funeral ceremony.